KPMG Realigns Senior Partners for Equity Funds

KPMG LLP has realigned its most senior private-equity partners to form the U.S. Private Equity Group. The dedicated practice will collect the firm’s extensive experience to serve the largest funds in the rapidly growing private-equity market.KPMG named Donald C. Spitzer as national managing partner for the new group. Spitzer, 57, will draw on his more than 35 years of experience leading KPMG audit and advisory teams who have helped some of the firm’s largest clients develop and execute cross-border mergers, acquisitions, strategic alliances and joint ventures.

Spitzer, noted in a release that every member of the group already provides customized services to the world’s largest funds. He added that private-equity funds grew from more than $20 billion in 1996 to more than $200 billion in 2006.

“More investment was made during 2006 in private-equity funds than in stock mutual funds, and KPMG is committed to enabling our clients to continue to achieve significant growth within the market,” Spitzer said, in a statement. “This group will help our clients make clear decisions, reduce risk and deliver value for investors across the globe, from acquisition through exit strategies.”

Based in New York, Spitzer joined KPMG in 1971 and was elected to the partnership in 1982. He previously served as the Southwest area managing partner for audit, risk and advisory services and is a former member of the U.S. board of directors for KPMG. Spitzer led development of the Transaction Services practice and the Restructuring Practice of the firm from the mid-1990s to 2001. He became the global chairman of transaction services during the same period.